Visual design association

12 Mar 2010 - 6:37pm

Last reply:
5 years ago

7 replies

1195 reads

Fred Celestino

2009

Hello,

I would like to ask if anyone could point out a visual design association well organized as IxDA. I am aware of some of them like AIGA, Core 77 and a couple of others, but I feel all of those I know lack the type of resourceful discussion list and engaged community found here.

Needless to say that nothing prevents visual design threads being cast on IxDA as we notice from time to time, but I am after something more specific about that discipline of design.

Thank you.

Fred

Comments

16 Mar 2010 - 11:46pm

yg15

2008

Hey Fred, guess from the response there might not be any resources but I am also interested being a visual designer myself so if you find out any info can you please let me know as well?

Thanks!

20 Mar 2010 - 12:06pm

Patricia Colley

2010

Fred, are you looking for an engaged community, or a discussion list just like this one?

I don't know of any dedicated 'visual design' discussion lists this active. The DL is a foundational platform of IxDA's existence, and it is the most active one I know of. But I think it's quite a leap to say that the AIGA, Graphic Artists' Guild and Core77 aren't active and engaged communities. Local chapters vary, but many are quite engaged and vital. Get involved in one of these organizations, ask them for pointers or suggest they build a DL. Otherwise, you might look for community boards people have put together on their own (maybe you could do that!). I'd also look for Meetup groups in your area.

It's also fine if you want to start a few visual design discussions here. Visual communication is integral to interaction / experience design, and I'm sure you would get meaningful responses from this community.

22 Mar 2010 - 7:23pm

Fred Celestino

2009

Patricia.

I was looking for both actually. I totally agree with you when you say about organizing get togethers and strengthening local chapters and the intrinsic relation of all disciplines involved in designing. By any means I meant to diminish the importance of those organizations we both mentioned, they all contribute immensely, but being a member of IxDA for a while now, I can say that you won't easily find good discussions as here. And again, I have to agree with you and reinforce what I said on the first message that nothing prevents visual designers from joining in more actively (including myself on that list).

Thank you for sharing your views.

23 Mar 2010 - 7:02pm

Patricia Colley

2010

Happy to help. And your comments didn't bother me at all, I was just sharing my positive experiences... not realizing until later that you were so far from these active local groups! :) Best of luck with your search, let us know how it turns out. The Linkedin groups sound promising!

22 Mar 2010 - 12:07pm

ChrisDigital

2010

There are some pretty motivated groups of LinkedIn.com you might want to take a look at...

"CREATIVE DESIGN PROS"

"Graphic Design Professional Group"

"Designers Talk"

"Creative Intensive Network - For All Advertising Creatives"

Regards-C.

22 Mar 2010 - 8:48pm

chovy

2008

This may be asking a bit much, but does anyone know of a software engineer or self-employed association that has access to group health insurance?

26 Mar 2010 - 5:41pm

Charlie Kreitzberg

2008

I will second that question. I received a note from my insurance company yesterday informing me that my premium would be $45,000 (US) for next year. This covers me, my wife and one of my three daughters. All I can \say is "yikes!"

Perhaps the new reform legislation will help but it seems to me that independent consultants and freelances are in a really difficult position.

When Cognetics was a larger company, our insurance rates were more reasonable. But as an independent, I am considered the "entire pool" which makes the rates skyrocket.

I am interested in learning what others are doing and if anyone has found a source for high-quality insurance.